Interview Procedures

Interview Prompt Sheet.

After participants completed the consent form, research assistants were told to show the interviewee their Success Story and photograph. They were to allow the participant to look over the story if they wished and then begin an informal conversation using the following questions:

Do you recognize yourself? This story was written quite a while ago. What can you tell me about how your life has changed since this story was written?

In 19xx (the year they received their award) you were one of the Department of Education’s Success Stories. What do you think makes a person successful?

Which of your life achievements to date are you most pleased with?

How do you handle setbacks?

If you could change anything about yourself or your life, what would it be?

What goals have you set for the future?

What help, if any, do you need to reach these goals?

If you had three magic wishes:

What would you wish for yourself?
For your family or friends?
For all adult students?